Texans Rookie Aireontae Ersery Dominates in Debut - Analyst Says He ‘Washed the End into Lake Minnetonka
As the Houston Texans work to find an answer to the offensive line woes that plagued them last season, rookie offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery made a big impression during his NFL debut.
Monday, Brian Baldinger, a former offensive lineman who played 11 seasons in the NFL, broke down tape of the rookie during the Texans opening drive from their preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings. It was part of his "Baldy's Breakdowns" series.
"First play of his NFL career right here. He takes the end on an inside slant and he washes him all the way into Lake Minnetonka." The NFL Network analyst said as he began the breakdown. The play resulted in a Dare Ogunbowale run for positive yards.
Baldinger also dissected a pair of plays in which Ersery, who got the start at left tackle, went up against Vikings 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner.
"He's got tremendous length." Baldinger said of Ersery, as he blocked on one pass play. "He knows how to use his hands too, and his arms."
The Texans 10-play opening drive against the Vikings resulted in a Davis Mills 14-yard touchdown pass to Braxton Berrios, giving Houston an early 7-3 lead.
Last season, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times, second most in the league behind the Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams (68). As a result, the organization cut ties with Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason, and brought in veterans Trent Brown, Cam Robinson, Laken Tomlinson and Ed Ingram this offseason.
They also selected the 6-foot-6, 330-pound Ersery with the 48th overall pick (2nd round) in April's NFL Draft. Ersery, who played his college ball at the University of Minnesota, started 38 career games at left tackle.
Baldinger liked what he saw from the former Golden Gopher on Saturday.
"He only played 10 snaps, but I thought he played well. Looked comfortable at left tackle."
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